Behind the Great Village on Cyan Cloud Mountain was a cliff. This location was both treacherous and the highest point, where a large mansion had been built—the regular residence of the Great Village Chief.

At this moment, in a quiet room within this mansion, Second Village Chief Huang Longhai respectfully addressed someone behind a curtain.

"That’s the situation. How do you plan to deal with this Wu Liangchen, brother?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Upon hearing this, Third Village Chief Pan Wei and Fourth Village Chief Sun Ling, who had accompanied him to the audience, immediately perked up their ears.

Although they had the privilege of meeting the Great Village Chief, they usually only paid their respects from behind a curtain, with little actual interaction.

In most cases, Huang Longhai would relay the Great Village Chief’s intentions on their behalf.

Opportunities like today, where they could hear the Great Village Chief speak personally, were rare.

After a moment, an authoritative and steady male voice came from behind the curtain.

"Mere troublemakers aren’t worth our attention. What matters most now is securing Dinghai City. Once this city falls into our hands, the northern territories of Great Yan will have completely collapsed. When our great endeavor succeeds, why should we care about some insignificant martial artist?"

"You’re absolutely right, brother. That’s exactly what I was thinking. So we’ll ignore him for now?"

"Yes, ignore him. Simply give him the cold shoulder; otherwise, we’d just be giving him publicity. As for Seventh Brother... give him a proper burial for now."

"After we gain control of Dinghai City, we’ll arrest this Wu Liangchen and behead him before Seventh’s grave to appease his spirit."

"Understood!" Huang Longhai bowed deeply, then led the Third and Fourth Village Chiefs out.

Once they left the mansion, Pan Wei finally let out a long breath.

"Big Brother’s aura has become increasingly formidable. Though I couldn’t see him, the pressure from his words alone made it difficult for me to breathe."

Sun Ling nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I believe Big Brother’s martial Cultivation has progressed significantly since before. Perhaps the Fourth Realm isn’t the end after all?"

As he finished speaking, a look of both fear and excitement appeared on Sun Ling’s face.

Huang Longhai merely smiled faintly at this. "Our Big Brother studies the mysteries between heaven and mankind. How could the likes of us possibly fathom his depths?"

"Besides, how could there be an end to the endless path of martial arts?"

After dropping this profound statement, Huang Longhai floated away, leaving Pan Wei and Sun Ling standing there in a daze, softly murmuring his words while their eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Indeed, how could there be an end to the endless path of martial arts!

......

Huangpu Guard.

This was a dilapidated alley at the edge of the city, home to the city’s lower class—small vendors and rickshaw pullers.

In a small courtyard at the deepest end of the alley, a group of people were crowded into a small room discussing matters.

The lighting was already poor, and the windows were covered with thick, opaque mulberry bark paper, making the small room even darker.

Add to that someone constantly puffing on an old pipe, and the room became stuffy and acrid, almost suffocating.

Yet these people paid no mind to the terrible environment, instead conversing in hushed tones.

"Great Yan is on the verge of collapse, making this the perfect opportunity for our Heartless Dao to rise. We cannot repeat the Left Protector’s grave mistake in Dinghai City." The leader, a solemn-faced man in his forties, spoke seriously.

Everyone below him nodded in agreement. Then a middle-aged woman spoke up: "Hall Master, is it true that the Right Protector is secretly organizing forces in the Capital, ready to take action at any moment?"

"Of course it’s true. Would someone of the Right Protector’s stature deceive us? A few days ago, I sent someone with the funds we’ve raised to assist in the Capital, but I suspect it’s still not enough. That’s why I’ve gathered you all here today."

At the mention of more money, everyone fell silent.

The man looked around at everyone present, and seeing them all avoiding his gaze, his expression darkened.

"Everyone, now is the time to contribute to our cause. How can you shrink back now? Don’t you all want the future wealth and prosperity?"

"Hall Master, of course we want future prosperity, but the problem is we have no money left," the woman who had spoken earlier complained.

"That’s right. Since the day our organization sent us to Huangpu Guard, they’ve never looked after us. Now that there’s trouble, they remember us and ask for money again and again. Where are we supposed to get that kind of money?" The man who had been smoking heavily set down his pipe and spoke resentfully.

"Exactly. We’ve been self-sufficient all these years, barely making ends meet. You come and immediately demand money from us—that’s simply unreasonable." Someone else chimed in.

Cai Hui’s expression fluctuated, but he remained silent.

Only after everyone had finished speaking did he patiently say, "Everyone, I understand your difficulties, but our organization will not let you down. Once we get through this period, when our uprising succeeds, every copper plate you invest now will bring tremendous returns."

Unfortunately, these people were completely immune to such pie-in-the-sky promises, being old hands who had seen it all.

They had contributed money before because a Hall Master had suddenly appeared, making them believe something significant might happen, so they had voluntarily put up the funds.

Now they realized this Hall Master had no real ability other than constantly asking for money every few days.